Thick air in Chiang Mai: Extreme smog in Thai tourist city France punishes attacks on politicians and mayors more severely

Thick air in northern Thailand: The world-famous temple city of Chiang Mai once again topped the statistics for cities with the most air pollution in the world on Friday – well ahead of Kathmandu and Beijing. The air quality was classified as ‘very unhealthy’ by the Swiss company IQAir. The ‘Rose of the North’, popular with tourists from all over the world, has been shrouded in a toxic haze for days, the ‘Khaosod’ newspaper reported.

The reason for the extremely harmful particulate matter levels is mainly slash-and-burn agriculture in Thailand, but also in neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. At the end of the dry season, farmers burn their fields to clear them of undergrowth and weeds. Extreme air pollution has therefore often occurred for years between January and March.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin promised in January to tackle the problem with new laws – so far without success. The Thai Enquirer newspaper recently wrote that it was time to declare a national emergency due to the persistent smog. The head of government was expected in Chiang Mai on Friday afternoon (local time) to get a picture of the situation. (rbu/sda/dpa)